Ball pythons are one of the most popular pet snake species. As snake owners, it’s important to understand all aspects of their health – including their pee. Here’s a comprehensive guide to demystifying ball python pee.
Do Ball Pythons Pee?
Yes ball pythons do pee. However, their urinary system is a bit different from mammals. Ball pythons release excess water primarily when they poop. This comes out as white or yellow chalky deposits called urates.
Ball pythons don’t have a bladder to store urine like mammals do. Instead their ureters empty directly into the cloaca – the single opening for urinary digestive and reproductive tracts. The urates come out mixed in with feces.
In the wild, ball pythons rarely pass liquid urine. But captive ball pythons with constant access to water are more likely to release liquid urine as they can’t store the excess fluid.
What Does Ball Python Pee Look Like?
Ball python urates look like white or yellow chalky lumps – similar to bird droppings. They may pass one large lump or several smaller pieces. The texture is like toothpaste when passed but dries hard quickly.
Well-hydrated ball pythons may pass slimy or wet urates. But excessive moisture usually indicates a problem.
Liquid urine is clear to light yellow. Bloody, black or very dark urine warrants an urgent vet visit to check for issues.
How Often Should a Ball Python Pee?
There’s no fixed pee schedule for ball pythons. Frequency varies by individual snake based on factors like:
- Size – larger snakes pee less often
- Diet – snakes that eat more, pee more
- Temperature – warmer environments increase pee frequency
- Humidity – drier environments decrease pee frequency
In captivity, expect urates every 1-2 weeks on average. More frequent wet urates may indicate overhydration issues. Lack of any urates for over 3 weeks could signal dehydration or other health problems.
Why Did Your Ball Python Pee on You?
Ball pythons occasionally pee on handlers. Common reasons include:
1. Stress
Nervous or newly acquired ball pythons often pee from stress when handled. Defensive body postures like balling up also hint the snake is scared.
2. Post-Shed
Many ball pythons hold in urine before and during sheds. Once the shed completes, they may release stored urates and urine.
3. Coincidence
If a ball python feels the urge to pee during handling, it will. Your warm body temperature may even trigger the reflex.
What Does Ball Python Pee Smell Like?
The predominant odor in ball python pee is ammonia. The more concentrated the urates, the stronger the smell.
Dehydrated snakes have very concentrated, foul-smelling pee. Good hydration produces milder aroma.
Substrate also impacts smell. Newspaper holds ammonia odor. Aspen shavings mask urine smell well with good ventilation.
When Should You Worry About Ball Python Pee?
Monitor your ball python’s pee for these unhealthy signs:
- No urates for over 3 weeks
- Lack of any pee with constipation
- Reddish, bloody or odd colored urates
- Very strong ammonia smell from urates
- Wet or excessive liquid urine
Any of these warrant a vet visit to check for dehydration, infections, substrate issues, impaction or other problems.
What to Do if Your Ball Python Won’t Pee?
If your ball python hasn’t peed in a while, try these steps:
- Check enclosure for hidden urates
- Provide fresh, clean water always
- Ensure proper temperatures and humidity
- Look for signs of constipation
- Give weekly warm baths to relieve blockage
- Seek vet help if no improvement
With attentive care and prompt vet assistance as needed, you can keep your ball python peeing properly. Understanding their unique urinary habits is an important part of maintaining their health and wellness.
It tried peeing on me!! This line down the belly is blowing me away!
FAQ
What are the signs of a sick ball python?
Signs of a RI in snakes might include oral or nasal discharge, bubble blowing, sneezing, open mouthed breathing, abnormal body posture, increased respiratory sounds like gurgling or wheezing, crusted nares. Snakes may also show systemic signs like anorexia (not eating or depressed appetite) or lethargy when sick.
How often do ball pythons poop and pee?
every 2 weeks or so for pee, 6 weeks for poop. Sounds like you’re still in the clear, but if it takes too long to poop, incorrect prey size is likely the reason!
How do I tell if my ball python is dehydrated?
How can you tell if a ball python is hydrated? Wrinkled or loose skin, sunken eyes, trouble shedding. Those are a few signs. As long as the proper humidity is provided, along with a fresh water bowl, your snake should stay plenty hydrated. Your baby does look a little bit small though. How often are you feeding?
What color is a snake’s urine?
Healthy snake poop is blackish brown and solid, and it typically is passed simultaneously with clear urine and chalky white urates (the solid portion of …
Do ball pythons excrete urine?
Pythons, including ball pythons, do not have a bladder and cannot store their urine. Instead, their ureters empty into the cloaca and are released as urates, which are solid and look similar to feces. Captive ball pythons are more likely to excrete liquid urine than their wild counterparts.
Does a ball python urinate more than it defecates?
Ball pythons, like mammals, urinate more than they defecate. They can excrete urates a few times a week to once every six weeks. In many cases, they will also expel some liquid urine with the urates. However, it’s important to note that not all ball pythons are the same, so individual differences may cause variations in urination frequency.
What does a ball python’s urine smell like?
When a ball python produces liquid urine, it is clear to light yellow. The smell of their urine can be quite strong, especially for first-time owners. Remember, urates are highly concentrated, so the stronger the smell, the more concentrated the urine is.
Why does my ball python urinate on me?
There are a number of reasons why your ball python may urinate on you. These include: If you have recently brought your new python home or your python tends to be on the shy side, then it may be nervous when handled. Ensure you do not stress out your pet when handling.
How often do ball pythons urinate?
Ball pythons eliminate urates from their body two or three times a week. The frequency can vary depending on the individual ball python’s digestive system. Some ball pythons may urinate on their handlers during handling.
Does a ball python poop after eating?
Ball pythons can poop around a week after eating, but might hold it in for 1-3 months without a problem. With soft urates, they might also pass some liquid urine. If urates are very hard after passing, it could indicate dehydration and lack of humidity.